Around 10,000 years ago, several indigenous groups are thought to have lived in Panama. When the Spaniards first arrived in Panama, the Cuevas and Coclé were the major tribes in the area. However, many natives of the area were killed upon Spanish arrival by the spread of European diseases. Columbus claimed the area for Spain in 1502 and Panama was used as a route for shipping Incan goods to Spain. In 1821, Spain was overthrown and Panama became a province of Colombia. In 1903, Panama declared independence from Colombia and the construction of the Panama Canal began in 1907. It became an important passage for ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific ocean. Panama assumed control of the canal in 1999 from the United States. Some important
